Watchguard Firebox & PfSense

[cpjitservices]

Good afternoon everyone!

 

Has anybody taken up the challenge to put pfsense on a watchguard ? ... if so ... was it a success and what is the model number and are there any piccies ?

 

I'm asking because Im trying to get hold of a watchguard to try this out - was wondering how you all got on first though.

 

 

TIA.

[gazlee]

Hi there, yes, I've managed to successfully convert a Firebox to a pfSense machine, and it rocks! The LCD panel works on the front, the SSL offload card is picked up, all six ethernet ports are usable. It makes a beast of a firewall (perhaps a little OTT for home, which is where I run mine!). The model I've used is an x500, picked it up on eBay for about £25 a year or two back, sold as not working. I believe the x500, x700 and x1000 all share identical hardware and the extra features are software based.

 

The only thing I had to do was upgrade the stock compact flash card inside from a 64MB one to a 4GB one, but they're cheap enough online. You just image the card on another computer then pop it back into the firebox and watch it boot up and do the initial setup through the serial port on the front. I followed a guide online that I just found by googling.

 

Pic attached of it in situ in my little test environment at home.

 

[MordyT]

I have a x700 converted as well. Only issue is when I run Skype it likes to make all sorts of errors in the log.

[sdc]

We're hoping to give this a go with a disused x500. Will report back (although it may be a summer holiday project!).

[ChrisH]

How many users could one of these boxes handle with PFsense on just for firewall/routing?

[ChrisH]

I'm reading these boxes can have trouble because of the Realtek nics and it's something that they still haven't managed to fix.

[MatthewL]

Got an x500 I think it is sat here, tempted to do it but cannot find a clear enough guide online on how to do it.

[MordyT]

I'm reading these boxes can have trouble because of the Realtek nics and it's something that they still haven't managed to fix.

Yep. Which is what I wrote below...

I have a x700 converted as well. Only issue is when I run Skype it likes to make all sorts of errors in the log.

 

 

 

Got an x500 I think it is sat here, tempted to do it but cannot find a clear enough guide online on how to do it.

Guide on pfsense forums. Search Google for pfsense on firebox.

[MatthewL]

Will have a gander when I get some time. Really interested to see it working.

[cpjitservices]

I am looking for an x500-1000 to try this too, can't wait actually - I've only ever had it on a PC - would love to put it on an appliance based piece of kit.

 

could someone test something also ?

 

Could someone add all the Security packages, anti-spam, antispam, snort, squid, squid filtering etc etc and see how well the watchguards can cope!

 

Thanks all.

[archenroot]

It doesn't look like big deal, I am going to put pfSense on x700 model over Christmas time and from these 2 tutorials it doesn't look like big deal as soon as it is standard pc inside except the LCD, but there is way as well:

Basement PC Tech: Installing PFSense on WatchGuard X700

>How to install pfsense 2.0 on a Watchguard x750e Core | PracticalKungFu.net

 

What about your experience with installation?

 

Ladislav

[twin--turbo]

Yep done and in production,

 

I still have photos on my phone to upload and add to this

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/internet-related-filtering-firewall/104590-building-pfsense-old-watchguard-firebox-lets-see-if-i-can-do.html

 

And this is what happens if as "Senior Tech" you send the device with NM and Junior Tech to fit on other site.

 

http://www.edugeek.net/forums/general-chat/105176-what-happens-when-you-let-nm-junior-tech-install-network-equipment.html

 

Rob